Groups: keep larger ATVs off New York trails

A coalition of environmental groups wants to make sure larger off-road vehicles remain off of New York's public trails.

A coalition of environmental groups wants to make sure larger off-road vehicles remain off of New York's public trails.

The Adirondack Council and other groups are asking state Assembly Speaker Sheldon Silver to block a bill that would allow owners of all-terrain vehicles heavier than 1,000 pounds to register them for use on public trails and roads. The bill would increase the eligible weight to 1,500 pounds. The environmentalists argue that allowing heavier vehicles will cause more erosion, more water pollution and more air pollution.

The environmental groups say that legislation also would open the trails to heavier utility-task vehicles.